2024 CPS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Tom Harris

Congratulations to Tom Harris, this year’s recipient of the CPS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tom Harris has been an outstanding Peony ambassador for many years. He has devoted countless hours to staffing CPS tables and speaking to the public about CPS and the intricacies of growing peonies. He served on the CPS board of directors as Vice President, then President during a challenging time for the society.

He has supported many Peony events across Canada, bringing blooms in his “famous suitcase”, helping wherever needed, judging, clerking or speaking on behalf of the Canadian Peony Society.

Tom is involved in many activities which highlight his selflessness, joy in helping others, creativity and gardening prowess. A font of peony knowledge, Tom is willing to share with all who are interested. He has been a long-term donor to the CPS root and seed sales, and countless gardens across Canada.

He has been actively involved with the Oshawa Peony Festival as a committee member for nearly 20 years, and is highly respected for his support, and involvement in this long-established event.

He is an award-winning Peony grower, having won all CPS awards at various National shows across Canada.

Tom, with his partner Dennis, have created the Schoolhouse Gardens, (aptly named after the historic school house on the property) where they conduct tours showcasing the hundreds of peonies grown there. All donations from these tours go to the Bridge Hospice Society, in Warkworth, Ontario, which they helped to found and have passionately supported for many years.

The Canadian Peony Society proudly recognizes Tom Harris for his contributions, to the promotion and enjoyment of peony growing in Canada.

The John Simkins Memorial Hybridizer Award for 2024

Bill Wegman

Congratulations to Bill Wegman, as the first recipient of the John Simkins Memorial Hybridizer Award.

As you may know, Bill was the former seed sale lead for the Canadian Peony Society, collecting and recording thousands of peony seeds for dispersal to peony enthusiasts globally. He held this position for many years, with a dedicated passion to ensuring the society was true to its mission of establishing distinctively Canadian Hybrids.

His work as a hybridizer is legendary. His work ethic has continued to strengthen the livelihood of Canadian bred peonies. His seeds offer purchasers the opportunity to grow unique seedlings that have the potential to be very interesting plants. Bill uses excellent parents, and seeds from hand pollinated crosses that are not usually available anywhere else.

His generosity of donating his offsprings to local gardens, in plants, seeds or root forms is incredibly humbling to witness. His unassuming manner of accomplishing so much, and willingness to share information with those interested, is truly stellar. His work will not go unnoticed for future generations, a tribute to his research, and keen interest in producing Canadian peonies for us to enjoy.

This recognition is well deserved, and proudly presented by the Board of Directors of the Canadian Peony Society.